(Newark, Del.-19711) The New Castle County Division of Police have charged Lois Bert, 66, of Newark with assault in the second degree after she tased a 14-year-old victim in May.

On Saturday (5/20) police were dispatched to the unit block of Lynn Drive (Green Valley Townhouses) for the report of an assault with a weapon.  The 14-year-old victim reported that he was playing in the parkland with friends when one of them yelled to another.   A woman walking her dog heard the teen yelling at his friend and she then engaged in a short conversation with one of the teens.  The teens described the passerby as a white female, approximately 60 years of age and walking a dog.  After the short conversation, the teens advised the woman walked away and left the area.

Approximately 30 minutes later, the woman returned without her dog, but carrying a black object in her hands.  She approached the victim while he was on the swing-set and asked him a question to which he replied, moments later, the unidentified woman tased the victim in the back.

The victim along with his friends fled the scene as well as the suspect.

On Thursday (6/1) an officer was conducting a property check in the community of Green Valley when he observed a subject matching the description provided by the teen.

Upon further investigation, the woman was positively identified as Lois Bert who was taken into custody on Saturday (6/3) without incident. Police conducted a search warrant at her residence and located two stun guns.

Lois Bert was charged with assault in the second degree and carrying a concealed dangerous instrument.  She was arraigned and committed to Baylor’s Women’s Correctional Institution in lieu of $4000 cash bond.  She was also issued a no contact order.   

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(Newark, DE 19713) Officers from the New Castle County Division of Police have charged 19-year-old Joseph Mcelwee following a swatting incident. On Friday, June 2, 2023, at 7:06 p.m., Patrol Officers were dispatched to the 2000 block of Grafton Drive – Newark in reference to a report of three males armed with firearms running into an apartment building. Officers immediately responded to the area and cleared the complex. It was later determined that the call was fake. Due to the response, a perimeter was established, roadways were blocked, and apartment complex residents were inconvenienced.

Officers on the scene continued the investigation and were able to identify and locate the original caller. The suspect was identified as 19-year-old Joseph Mcelwee of Newark. Mcelwee was taken into custody without incident and transported to NCCPD headquarters.

Mcelwee was charged with one felony count of terroristic threatening, one felony count of providing a false statement to law enforcement, one felony count of conspiracy in the second degree, and one misdemeanor count of falsely reporting an alleged incident to law enforcement. Mcelwee was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and held in lieu of $3,500.00 secured bail.

The New Castle County Division of Police takes swatting calls seriously as they cause a dangerous disruption to our communities. These types of incidents can cause safety risks to the intended victim, law enforcement, and the public. They also divert and distract resources and first responders that could be aiding legitimate incidents.

Mcelwee, Joseph (19)

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(Newark, DE 19702) Officers from the New Castle County Division of Police have arrested three suspects after being dispatched to a burglary in progress. On Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 6:51 p.m., Patrol Officers were dispatched to Cavalier Country Club – Newark in reference to a burglary in progress. It was reported that multiple suspects were walking around the property with headlamps, bags, and power tools. Upon arrival, officers along with K9 Nova and her partner checked the property at which time three suspects were located. The suspects who were in possession of power tools and bags were taken into custody without incident. While on the scene officers located approximately 500 feet of copper wire that had been damaged and collected by the suspects.

The suspects were identified as 27-year-old Ronald Van Dan of Newark, 28-year-old Lucas Perry of Wilmington, and 27-year-old James White of Newark. All three suspects were transported to NCCPD headquarters.

Ronald Van Dan was charged with one felony count of burglary in the third degree, one felony count of possession of burglary tools, one felony count of conspiracy in the second degree, one misdemeanor count of theft under $1,500.00, and one misdemeanor count of criminal mischief. He was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released after posting $1,700.00 secured bail.

Lucas Perry was charged with one felony count of burglary in the third degree, one felony count of possession of burglary tools, one felony count of conspiracy in the second degree, one misdemeanor count of theft under $1,500.00, and one misdemeanor count of criminal mischief. He was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released after posting $1,700.00 secured bail.

James White was charged with one felony count of burglary in the third degree, one felony count of possession of burglary tools, one felony count of conspiracy in the second degree, one misdemeanor count of theft under $1,500.00, and one misdemeanor count of criminal mischief. He was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released after posting $1,700.00 secured bail.

Van Dan, Ronald (27)

Perry, Lucas (28)

White, James (27)

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